Media release

EU Chief Officers of Plant Health Services discuss actions to take in preventing spread of plant diseases

Photo: © Valts Kleins
29 May 2015

The Informal Meeting of EU Chief Officers of Plant Health Services took place on 27-28 May under the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council bringing together 58 participants, including five European Commission representatives. The participants discussed the harmonisation of import controls procedures and a common framework for action in the event of a plant disease outbreak, reducing the maximum of adverse impacts.

In the meeting, the European Commission presented a report on pests found on imported plants or plant products in Member States in 2014.The Commission also introduced with the report on the operation of the European Union Notification System for Plant Health Interceptions in 2014.

The French expert presented information on new bacteria harmful to plants found in mangoes and citrus fruit, its detection in individual Member States and its containment measures. The participants discussed plant health regulatory framework and made proposals for the development of recommendations for joint actions in new pest distribution cases and the promotion of experience exchange between Member States.

During the technical visit to Silu Kūdra Latvian-German joint venture, the participants were introduced with the process how peat is produced and prepared for export. The Latvian plant quarantine experts shared Latvian experience in performing inspections and issuing phytosanitary certificates for the peat export.

The EU Chief Officers of Plant Health Service (COPH) group meet twice a year to take conceptual decisions and address strategic issues in the field of plant quarantine. The meeting is organised by each presidency. It is chaired by the Commission and is attended by representatives from the General Secretariat of the EU Council.

Contact
Dace Ūdre
Public Relations Specialist of Latvian Plant Health Service
+371 26425173